Historical Archive

Greece (Hellenic Republic)

The first visit of a Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Greece was in 2009, although Brazil has kept resident diplomatic representation in Athens since 1912. In 2011, President Dilma Rousseff was in Athens on her way to visit China, and realized a courtesy visit to Prime-Minister George Papandreou.

Brazil and Greece have been exchanging support on candidatures to multilateral bodies. In 2005, Greece declared its support to Brazil’s bid to a permanent seat in a reformed United Nations Security Council.

Brazil has a balance of trade surplus in its exchange with Greece – in 2015, Brazilian exports amounted to US$ 117 million and imports totaled US$ 48 million. The balance of services is favorable to Greece, due to the wide participation of Greece in the international shipping industry. Besides the potential for cooperation in the ports and shipbuilding sectors, there are possibilities of partnerships in the energy and tourism sectors.

Greece is a customer of aeronautical equipment produced by Brazil, and was the first country to purchase an EMBRAER aircraft to transport authorities, as well as the first to operate the Legacy in Europe.

Chronology of bilateral relations

1883 – Settlement of the first Greek colony in Brazil, in the State of Santa Catarina

1912 – The first Brazilian diplomatic mission (Legation) is opened in Athens